Separator



Aprilll, 1944.

. J. P. JoHNsyoN SEPARATOR Filed April 4, 1941 2 sneek-sheet 1 INVENTOR.

fof/N 0N I ATTO Y.

JMss l? April 11, 1944. JP. JQHNSON v 2,346,435

SEPARATOR Filed April 4, 1941 `2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. .J2/V55/Qfaw/vsa/v m @Mw ATTORNEYl Patented Apr. 1.1, 1944 UNIT-ED STATESPATENT OFFICE i f i 2,346,435

l n sEPnnAToR James P. Johnson, Shaker Heights, Ohio Application" April4, 194'1, serial No. 386,774

(ol. rsa-109) i 4 Claims.

This invention relates -to oil separators and more particularly to onedesigned especially for use n aircraft although the novel features maybe otherwise adapted by those skilled in the art.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved oilseparator of compact light weight construction, highly eicient inseparation of oil from oil. ladened air-.and one which has no movableparts thus eliminating wear and replacements.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid tightcontainer having an oil filtering means so formed and disposed withrespect to the incoming oil ladened air that the latter is divided intotwo or more swirling streams thus throwing the oil particles against theltering means through which the oil rpasses and is l subsequentlyrecovered and returned to the engine crank-case or other reservoir forfurther use. i v

Another object of the present invention is to form the oil filteringmeans in such a manner that its effective area is. greatly enlargedthereby reducing the velocity ofthe incoming oil ladened air to allowthe oil particles to adhere to the means and filter more rapidly throughthe latter.

Another object ofthe present invention is to position the filteringmeans at a relatively small angle with respect to the path of theintroduced oilladened air whereby back pressure is reduced,

to a negligible quantity.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an oil separatorwhich is simple in construction, efiicient in operation, and inexpensiveto manufacture.

with the objects above indicated, and other objects hereinafterexplained in view, my invention consistsin the construction andcombination of elements hereinafter described and claimed.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken alongline I elin Figure 2 and showfing a separator embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the Vseparator illustrated in Figure land showing further details of the invention.

Figure 3 is an end elevationalview of the sepa rator looking at theinlet side. y Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on .line 4 4in Figure 1 and showing detailsof the invention. Y

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional View taken along line 6-6 in Figure5. *I Figure 7 is a fragmentary transverse `sectional view taken alongline 1--1 in Figure 5.

Figure 8- is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of a furthermodified form of separator embodying `the invention. v

Figure 9 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 9-9 in Figure8.

Figure 10 is a longitudinal vertical. sectional view of a further modiedform of separator embodying the invention.

Figure 11 is a transverse sectional along line II-i I in Figure 10.

In the drawings I have illustrated an oil sepa- View taken ratorembodying the present invention and, While the novel features may beotherwise'adapted, the separator has special adaptation for use onaircraft. At the present time vacuum` pumps are `designed to have apredetermined suction at vthe inlet side for operation of certainlwellknown n instruments and is further capable of developing `mixed with thedischarged `air and the transmission of this oil to the rubber de-icerapparatus would result in serious disintegration of the latter. Thepresent; separator is preferably inptroduced between the vacuum pump andthe deicer apparatus and `functions to remove substantially all of theoil particles from the air stream in a manner to be later described. Toemphasize the efficiency of the separator with respect to its, size theseparator shown is approximately three-quarter size. t

Theseparator comprises a hollow container 20 preferably made from lowbrass thin sheet material. `The container includes a front end wall .2lvertically disposed and a rear end wall 22 spaced longitudinallytherefrom but in parallel relation. A top wall 23 extends between thefront and rear walls 2| ,and 22 and is disposed .horizontally at rightangles with respect to the adjacent end walls. The top wall 23hastapered sides 24 and 25 which extend divergingly between the frontand rear walls respectively. A bottom wall 2B, similar to the top wall23, is` disposed `in horizontally spaced relation beneath the latter andextends between the front and rear walls adjacent the lower ends thereofas moreclearly shown f in Figure 2. Relatively spaced side walls 21 and`23 extend between the front and rear walls in a vertical positionandbetween the top and bottom walls along the angularly disposed edges.manner of forming this container is of no material importance as manydifferent and well known methods may be employed but by whatever mannerit is formed all connecting edges or joints must be either brazed orsoldered and if the latter preferably with silver solder. It isimportant, however, that the container be fluid tight when subjected topressure internally or externally in order to maintain its eliiciency.

The top wall 23, adjacent the rear wall 22, is provided with a centrallydisposed transversely extending opening surrounded by an outwardlyprojecting annular flange 29 as more clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2. Ashort section of brass tubing 30 projects outwardly from the opening inthe top wall and has its lower edge flared outwardly at 3| forcooperative engagement with the inner face of the flange 29. These'cooperating flanges 29 and 3| should, likewise, be soldered or brazed toafford a rigid seal. This tubular member 30 has a relatively largecrosssection unrestricted to the flow of air and is adapted forconnection with a de-icer apparatus when the same is being used upon theplane or to the slip stream. The front wall 2| has a similar centrallydisposed opening adjacent its lower portion within which` a tubularmember 32 is disposed but in this case the inner end of the tubeprojects inwardly at v33 for a substantial distance beyond the wall. Amounting flange 34.encircles the tube 32 and is secured to the adjacentportion of the end wall 2| as well as to the adjacent portion of thetube by brazing or soldering. This tube, likewise, is of substantial.size and preferably of the diameter of the tube 30, the tubes beingdisposed relatively at right angles, they outer end of the tube 32 beingadapted for connection with the discharge side of a vacuum pump. Thebottom wall 26, adjacent the rear. wall, is provided with a centrallydisposed opening having an outwardly extending annular flange 35 towhich is secured an oil outlet tube 36 having an exteriorlyscrew-threaded end 31, the tube 36 being connected to the flange bybrazing or soldering as desired. A nipple 38 has an interiorlyscrewthreaded bore at one end mounted on the' screwthreaded end of theoutlet tube and a suitable gasket, not shown, forms a, sealed connectiontherebetween. A strainer, not" shown, may be removably mounted betweenthe free end of the outlet tube and the nipple for preventing passage ofany foreign matter. To the free end of the nipple 38, a conduit, not

shown, may be attached which connects with the" engine crank-case orother suitable oil reservoir. It is important that this line slopedownwardly toward the engine to prevent oil trapping and likewise, thebottom wall 26 of the container should be disposed at an angle ofapproximately 20 degrees to the horizontal when the plane is in flyingposition. To attach the separator to the plane, or other supportingstructure, amounting bracket 38 is provided on the bottom wall 26adjacent its central portion and has a depend` ing channel-shaped flange40 projecting downwardly at an angle, from inlet to outlet, ofapproximately `20 degrees with respect to a vertical plane. The flange40 is provided with openings 4| in transverse alignment by means of'which the separator can be suitably connected to the supportingstructure. Preferably, however, a rpair of resilient non-metallic blocks42, of neoprene compound or similar material, are disposed on oppositesides of the flange 40 and have The vopenings in axial alignment withthe openings 4|. Spacer tubes 43 extend through the aligned openings andterminate slightly short of the outer opposite faces of the blocks 42. Aplate 44 is disposed in engagement with the outer face of one of theblocks 42 and slidably ts between the lateral ends of the flange 40,being provided with openings in axial alignment with the tubes 43. Amounting flange 45 on the supporting structure has a projecting endportion disposed in engagement with the outer face of the opposite block42 and is likewise provided with openings in axial alignment with thetubes. Bolts 46 have their shanks extending through the tubes 43 and thealigned openings in said plate and mounting flange and nuts aredetachably mounted thereon for effectively securing the elements inassembled relation.

An oil filtering member 41 is disposed transversely within the container2D thus separating the inlet opening 32 from thevair and oil outletopenings 38 and 36 respectivelywhereby the incoming fluid is required topass through the filtering member. The filtering means shown in my priorPatent No. 2,227,501, granted January 7, 1941, is particularlyjeicientand has been favorably received by the industry, but it has certainundesirable characteristics such as the presence of too high backpressure, too great a velocity, and its limitation with respect toveffective filtering surface, anyl or all of which are primaryconsiderations in aircraft adoption. lMaximum sizes and weights of`accessories used on aircraft are well standardized and improvements ineiciency and operation under such conditions are of great importance.Greater eiciency in the present instance is obtained by forming thefiltering member 41 in substantially V-shape in plan with its closed endor nose 48 disposed adjacent the inner tubular portion 33 of the linlettube 32 as more clearly shown inFigure 2. The filtering member 41 ispreferably made of #22 gage brass sheet material numerously perforatedwith small holes approximately .033 inch in diameter, there beingsubstantially 225 such holes to the square inch and preferably arrangedin staggered relation. The closed end 48, of the V- shaped member 41, isrounded on a small radius, approximately T15 inch,A and the oppositesides 43 each extend rearwardly therefrom in a long gradual outwardlycurved manner terminating at a plane extending transversely at theforward portion of the air outlet opening 30 and engageable respectivelywith the adjacent side walls 21 and 28. The filtering member 41, in thepresent instance, is approximately 3 inches long and in height extendscontinuously between the top and bottom walls 23 and 26 respectively asmore clearly shown in Figure 1. The best results have been obtained byvforming the side 49, of the V-shaped member 41, about a 121A inch radiusadjacent the closed end 48 and a 31/2 inch radius adjacent the free end,thetwo being relatively disposed to afford a continuously smooth curvedsurface. The filtering member may be secured against accidentaldisplacement in any suitable manner but preferably by brazing orSoldering the top and bottom of the nose 48 to the adjacent portions ofthe top and bottom walls 23 and 26 respectively while the free ends aresimilarly secured to the adjacent portions of the side Walls 24 and 25respectively. 'Ihis arrangement separates the inlet opening from the airand oil outlet openings, the only means of communication being themultiplicity of openings in the fil-tering member through which thefluid must pass.

The closed end 48 of the filtering member is disposed perpendicularlywithin the container in longitudinal alignment with the vertical axis ofthe inlet opening but spaced suitably inwardly from the inner endportion 33 as more clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2. This positioningand shaping of the `filtering member causes the incoming fluid to bedivided into two swirling streams the relative velocity of which ismaterially reduced due to the greatly enlarged effective area of thefiltering member. As the oil particles are deposited upon the filteringmember they tend to adhere thereto and pass through the perforations tothe opposite side where they trickle down the vertical sides to thebottom of the container. The air, substantially oil'freed, also passesthrough the perforations and isdischarged under pressure through the airoutlet opening 30. The back pressure in the container is materiallyreduced by maintaining a relatively small angle between the curved sidesof the filtering member and the path of the incoming fluid. Theseparated or freed oil on the bottom of the container flows toward theoil outlet opening 36 and passes therethrough where it is conveyed backto the engine crank-case or other suitable reservoir for further use.

If desirable, the interior of the container maybe connected with apressure gauge to indicate the pressure therein thus insuring againstthe presence of excessive pressure. In this case the side wall 21 has alateral extension 50 brazed or soldered thereto, the extension beingpositioned beyond the adjacent free end of the filtering member as moreclearly shown in Figure 2. The extension 50 has an interiorlyscrewthreaded bore extending inwardly from its outer end whichcommunicates with an axial opening 52 extend-f* ing through the sidewallthus affording communication with the interior of the container. Thisextension can be connected with a pressure gauge, or if a pressure gaugeis not desirable ther... opening may be closed by the use of ascrewthreaded plug, not shown.

In the modification shownv in Figures 5, 6, and

'7, the container 68 is made fluid tight inthe j same manner asheretofore described but the` container is substantially square incross-section as more clearly shown in Figure 6. The inlet tube 62 issimilarly mounted in an opening on the forward end wall at the lowerportion thereof while the air outlet tube 63 is mounted in a, ,4 flangedopening 64 provided in the opposite end wall adjacent the upper portionYthereof.- The oil outlet tube 36 is mounted vupon the bottom walll atthe rear end in the same manner as that shown in Figure 1. The filteringmember 81 isofI substantially the same shape as thel filtering member 41and has its closed end 68v rounded on a small radius and its oppositesides 69 each extending rearwardly therefrom in a long gradual outwardlycurvedV manner terminating in` a plane extending transversely inwardlyfrom: the end of the container and engageable respectively with theadjacent side Walls as more clearly shown in'Figure 7. Thefilteringmember is secured against displacement in any suitable man-`ner and is provided with perforations similar to those heretoforedescribed in connection with the filtering member 41. The filteringmember 61 is disposed perpendicularly within the `container and has-itsclosed end in longitudinal alignment in the forward end wall and inclearly shown in Figure 11.

with. the .yerticalaaxis' of the inlet openingbeing spaced' suitably4.inwardly from the inner endj'of the inlet tube. Here again; the incomingfluidV is dividedvinto two swirling streams, the oil particles ofwhich are separated from the air in the manner heretofore described. 1

The modification illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 Yshow a fiuid tightcontainer 18 of substantially square .cross-section having an inlet tube12 suitably mounted in an opening provided in the forward-end wall ofthecontainer and in this innstance on its longitudinal axis.

An air s outlet tube 13 is mounted in a iianged opening 14 provided onthe opposite end wall of the container adjacent its upper portion whilethe oil outlet tube 36 is mounted on the bottom wall adjacent Vthe rearend as more clearly shownin Figure 8.

`The filtering' member" in thisinstance however, is 'formed insubstantially pyramidal shape, having its apex disposed in axialalignment with the inlet tube' 12l but spaced inwardly from the4adjac'en'tcnd'of the latter. Thefclosed end or to those heretoforedescribed in connection with the filtering member 41. With thisarrangement the incoming iiuid is divided into four swirling streams,causing the oil particles to be deposited upon the filtering memberwhereV they pass through the perforations and trickle down the innersurface to the bottom of the container.

-A furthermodification;illustrated in Figures N10 and `11, shows a fiuidtight container 80, of

circular shape in cross-section, having an inlet tube 82 suitablymounted in an opening provided this instance on its longitudinal axis.An air outlet tube 83 is mounted in a ii'anged opening 84 provided onthe opposite end wall of the container and in this instance in axialalignment with the inlet tube 82. The filtering member 81, in thepresent showing however, is formed in substantially conical shape,having its apex disposed in axial alignment with the inlet tube 82 butspaced inwardly from' the adjacent end of the latter. The closed end ornose 88 is rounded slightly and the wall 89 extends rearwardly therefromin a long .gradual outwardly curved manner terminating in aplaneextending transversely inwardly from the end of the container andengageable with the inner peripheral portion of the `latter as more Thefiltering member is secured in any suitable manner and the wall isprovided with perforations similar to those heretofore described inconnection with the filtering member' 41.

incoming fiuid is changed into an annular shaped With this arrangementthe swirling Astream causing the oil particles to lbe deposited upon thefiltering member where they pass through the'perforations and trickledown the inner surface to the 4bottom of the container.

It will be obvious, from the modifications shown, that the broad featureof the invention may be `embodied in the formation of filtering membersdifferently shaped from that shown in Figures 1` and 2. The importantobject is to form a filtering member which has maximum filteringareawhere the weights and sizes of the oil separator are to be maintained ata minimum and, in the present instance, the shapes of Vthe filteringmembers illustrated provide approximately fifty per cent greaterarea-than thatshown l in my prior patent heretofore referred to. Thisresults in more rapid separation making it possible to handle a greaterquantity of fluid. The increased area of -the filtering member furtherreduces the relative velocity of the introduced oil ladened air and bypositioning the closed end of the ltering member in axial dispositionwith respect -to the inlet tube and having the sides extend rearwardly.in a long gradual` outwardly curved manner the back pressure also ismateriallyreduced. It should be further understood arator due to therather elaborate descriptionv heretofore. It will be suflicient to saythat the incoming oil ladened air discharged under pressure fromthe-vacuum pump enters the tube 32 and is discharged from the innerendinto contact with the closed end of the filtering member `4l. Thefluid is divided into two relatively lateral swirling streams by reasonof the curved Walls 49 and the latter due to its large area reduces thevelocity of the streams. This allows the oil particles to adhere to thefiltering member where they pass through the perforations and trickledown the vertical side walls of the ltering member onto the bottom ofthe container Awhere the inclination of the bottom wall causes the oilto flow toward the oil discharge outlet. The swirling action imparted tothe incoming oil ladened air tends to separate the oil particle andclarifies the air. The substantially Aoil freed air, which also passesthrough the perforations, is then forced out under pressure through theair outlet opening where it is conveyed to the deicer apparatus or inthe event the latter is not Iin use to the slip stream. The separatedoil passes outwardly through the discharge opening where itis conveyedby a suitable conduit to the engine crank-case or other reservoir.

While I have described the preferred embodiment of the invention it isto be understood that I am not to be limited thereto inasmuchaschangesand modifications may be resorted to without departing from thespirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. An oil separator for use on aircraft or the like, for separating oilfrom oil ladened air cornprising: a closed elongated container having aninlet port on one end thereof through-which oil ladened air may beintroduced under pressure and having at the other end thereof an airoutlet port for the discharge under pressure of oil freed air; arelatively thin sheet material baille member disposed transverselywithin said container for dividing the latter into a first compartmentcontaining said inlet port and a second compartment containing saidoutlet port, said baille member being formed with a hollow closed endand relatively long gradually curved diverg- ,ing side walls disposedperpendicularly to and extending between the top and bottom of theconrso tainer, said baffle-member extending from adiacent said inletport to adjacent said outlet port, the closed end of said baille memberbeing disposed in a perpendicular plane centrally with respect to saidinlet port butin closely spaced relation whereby the incoming oilladened air is divided into a plurality of swirling streams, said wallsbeing perforated transversely to permit the flow of oil and airtherethrough, the oil particles adhering to the wall surfaces andflowing downwardly to the` bottom of said second compartment, theseparated air flowing into said second compartment and being dischargedunder pressure through the outlet port, said walls affording relativelylarge surfaces so disposed with respect to the incoming oil ladened airthat the velocity of the latter is materially reduced to effectseparation of the oil and air without appreciable pressure loss; andmeans in communicationwith said second compartment to alford drawing olfthe separated oil.

2. An oil separator for use on aircraft orthe like, for separating oilfrom oil ladened air comprising: a closed elongated container .having aninlet port on one end thereof through which oil ladened air may beintroduced under pressure and having at the other end thereof an airoutlet port for the discharge under pressure of oil freed air; arelatively thin sheet material baille member disposed transverselywithin said container for dividing the latter into a first compartmentcontaining said inlet port and a second compartment containing saidoutlet port, said baille member being formed with a hollow closed endand relatively long gradually curved diverging side walls disposedperpendicularly to and extending between the top and bottom ofthecontainer, said baille member extending from adjacent said inlet port toadjacent said outlet port and rigidly secured by being brazed or weldedalong its opposite edges to the adjacent top and bottom wallsrespectively, the closed end of said baille member being disposed in aperpendicular plane centrally with respect to said inlet port but inclosely spaced relation whereby the incoming oil ladened airis dividedinto 'aiplurality of swirling streams, said walls` beingperforatedtransversely to Vpermit the flow of oil and air therethrough, the oilparticles adhering to the wall surfaces and flowing downwardly to thebottom of said second compartment, the separated air flowing into saidsecond,` compartment and being discharged under pressure through theoutlet port, said walls aording relatively large surfaces so disposedwith respect to the incoming oil ladened air that the velocity of thelatter ismaterially reduced to eifect separation of the oil and airwithout appreciable pressure loss; and means in communication with saidsecond compartment to afford drawing off the separated oil.

3. An oil separator for use on aircraft or the like, for separating oilfrom oil ladened air comprising: a closed elongated container having aninlet port on one end thereof through which oil ladened air may beintroduced under pressure and having at the other end thereof an airoutlet port for the discharge under pressure of oil freed air; arelatively thin sheet material baille member disposed transverselywithin said container for dividing the latter into a rst compari-,mentcontaining said inlet port and a second compartment containing saidoutlet port, said baffle member being formed with a hollow closed endand relatively long gradually curved diverging side walls ofsubstantially pyramidal shape,

said baille member extending from adjacent said inlet port to adjacentsaid outlet port, the closed end of said baffle member being disposedaxially with respect to said inlet port but in closely spaced relationwhereby the incoming oil ladened air is divided into a plurality ofswirling streams, said walls being perforated transversely to permit theflow of oil and air therethrough, the oil particles adhering to the wallsurfaces and owing downwardly to the bottom of said second compartment,the separated air iiovving into said second compartment and beingdischarged under pressure through the outlet port, said walls affordingrelatively large surfaces so disposed with respect to the incoming oilladened air that the velocity of the latter is materially reduced toeffect separation of the oil and air without appreciable pressure loss;and means in communication with said second compartment to afforddrawing oi the separated oil.

4. An oil separator for use on aircraft or the like, for separating oilfrom oil ladened air cornprising: a closed elongated container having aninlet port on one end thereof through which oil ladened air may beintroduced under pressure and having at the other end thereof an airoutlet port for the discharge under pressure of oil freed air; arelatively thin sheet material baille member disposed transverselywithin said container for dividing the latter into a first compartmentcontaining said inlet port and a second compartment containing saidoutlet port, said baffle member being formed with a hollow closed endand a relatively long gradually curved outwardly ared wall ofsubstantially conical shape, said baille member extending from adjacentsaid inlet port to adjacent said outlet port, the closed end of saidbaille member being disposed axially with respect to said inlet port butin closely spaced relation whereby the incoming oil ladened air isdivided into a swirling stream, said walls being perforated transverselyto permit the flow of oil and air therethrough the oil particlesadhering to the wall surfaces and flowing downwardly to the bottom ofsaid second compartment, the separated air flowing into said secondcompartment and being discharged under pressure through the outlet port,said walls affording relatively large surfaces so disposed with respectto the incoming oil ladened air that the velocity of the latter ismaterially reduced to effect separation of the oil and air withoutappreciable pressure loss; and means in communication with said secondcompartment to aord drawing off the separated oil.

JAMES P. JOHNSON.

